I work in manufacturing and recently inherited an assembly process that involves torqueing 4 bolts in a specific pattern, making 5 passes. I am looking for cost effective way to show the operator which bolt they should be on. I could use a PLC but it is 'not in the budget'. I can get a 24v signal every time a single torque is completed. Can anyone tell me if there is an off-the-shelf item that can get a 24v input and increment through 4 outputs? If I could just build a panel with 4 indicator lights, it would help my operators a ton. I don't know if this is the right place to ask this question. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

It could be done fairly easily with a CD4017 IC counter and a few other parts plus a 5V to 15V DC supply (such as a wall-wort).

Are you able to solder a few electronic parts onto a vector-board type breadboard?

Beside the increment signal, you will need a reset signal (or push-button switch) to go to the start of the sequence.

 

Thank you. I am going to be perfectly honest and say that, aside from 'push-button', I have no idea what you are talking about. I don't want you to feel that you wasted your time in responding. Now I have some homework to do.

 

I have no idea what you are talking about.

Okay.
Any off-the-shelf route is likely more expensive.
Do you know anyone where you work that might be somewhat familiar with electronics to help you with the project?

 

I work in manufacturing and recently inherited an assembly process that involves torqueing 4 bolts in a specific pattern, making 5 passes. I am looking for cost effective way to show the operator which bolt they should be on. I could use a PLC but it is 'not in the budget'. I can get a 24v signal every time a single torque is completed. Can anyone tell me if there is an off-the-shelf item that can get a 24v input and increment through 4 outputs? If I could just build a panel with 4 indicator lights, it would help my operators a ton. I don't know if this is the right place to ask this question. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Are you sure a PLC is out of the budget?
They are very inexpensive these days. Especially for your application.

 

What country are you in. There are some here in AAC that can still lift a soldering iron. Need more details.

 

I can get a 24v signal every time a single torque is completed.

Where does this signal come from, is it momentary and how does that signal get generated?